According to a specific provision made by the Americans with Disabilities Act, miniature horses are the only species to be accommodated as service animals along with dogs. Like their canine counterparts, miniature horses should also be trained to carry specific tasks to assist their human with a disability.

For a miniature horse to be accommodated and recognized as a service animal, it must meet four factors or criteria made by the Justice Department: Miniature horses must be housebroken, under the control of the handler, can be accommodated by a facility based on its size, weight, and type, and must not compromise the safety of operations in a facility it enters.

But what exact traits do these equine animals possess that make them on par with canines when it comes to being service animals? Here are five of them.

1. Trainable with high emotional intelligence

Although horses are not as quick in learning skills as dogs, they possess strong intuition and emotional intelligence that dogs can find hard to beat. This means miniature horses make good psychiatric service animals because they can detect and respond quickly to handlers suffering from depression, anxiety, PTSD, panic attacks, and bipolar disorder.

2. Conscious of safety

Miniature horses are highly alert and are always looking out for dangerous scenarios. They have preserved this trait from their larger ancestors that were bred for transportation. As a result, they have excellent judgment when avoiding obstacles and finding the safest route as they guide their handlers to a destination.

3. Wide and excellent vision

Horses have a unique eye placement that gives them almost a 350° vision. They see well in the dark and can move their eyes independently. Along with reason #2, miniature horses make one the best guide animals for the blind along with dogs. Plus, a fully matured miniature horse is strong and can support the weight of a person with vision problems in case they stumble.

4. Longer lifespan

A service dog can only serve its owner for an average of 8 to 12 years. Miniature horses have an average lifespan of 30 to 40 years. Some even live for more than 50. This makes miniature horses the service animal species with the longest years of servitude. If only dogs can also live as long as them.

5. Better public acceptance

Service dogs are commonly perceived as pets rather than service animals. It’s the main reason why they face resistance in accessing public spaces even with them wearing identification vests and collars. On the other hand, handlers with miniature horses don’t face this problem often because tiny equine companions are easily recognized as service animals.

Miniature horses are as large as medium-sized dogs. They can fit anywhere, even in the passenger cabins of public transportation. They also get fleas rarely and shed twice a year — perfect for handlers that are allergic to dander. Thinking of getting yourself or someone a service animal? Consider the miniature horse.

Do you own an assistance animal? Register your pet today.

The Service Animal Registry of California invites you to have your assistance animal registered in order to designate its status. We also encourage you to take our online classes so you can be fully aware of your rights and gain more knowledge about your support animal.

Finally, we present to you our book entitled, “ASSISTANCE ANIMAL LAWS: LEARN YOUR RIGHTS REGARDING SERVICE ANIMALS, EMOTIONAL SUPPORT ANIMALS, THERAPY PETS, AND OTHER DOGS, CATS, AND ASSISTANCE ANIMALS” to provide you with a complete education on assistance animals. Purchase your copy of the book by clicking the image below. 

Service animals serve as a replacement body part for people with disabilities (PWDs). They are trained to accompany their handler wherever they go. Yes, even when going to a different city, state, or country and riding a specific type of transportation, a service animal should always remain beside its handler.

But service animals aren’t like ordinary pets. The former have different travel needs than the latter. They also are protected by different rights and have unique perks that help a disabled person travel easily and comfortably. Read more to learn about what items you should pack in your travel bag and the rights that protect you and your service animal as you go on a trip.

What Does the ADA Say About Traveling with Service Animals?

The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) protects your right to travel to places while bringing your service animal with you. It also requires a majority of public and private accommodations such as airports and restaurants to provide accessibility for both you and your service animal’s needs.

However, your rights will vary depending on where you’re going, what mode of transportation you’re taking, and the nature of your visit. People with disabilities aren’t required to pay a surcharge in establishments where pet fees are necessary.

If a service animal were to cause damage to a transportation, lodging, or accommodation company, the person accompanied by the animal may be charged. But in general, traveling with a service animal into places and countries that abide by the ADA law and similar legislation shouldn’t cause problems.

8 Things to Pack While Traveling With a Service Animal

1. Documentation

Bring the proper documentation that proves your service animal’s legitimacy. It may come in an identification card, certificate, or written document. Businesses won’t always ask for documentation and proof of training. But still, be prepared.

2. Food, water, feeding bowl, and water bottle

Bring a food supply that would keep your service animal full and healthy for the entire duration of your trip. Always refill your animal’s water bottle to quench their thirst wherever you go. Lastly, provide your animal with a bowl for drinking water and eating their food.

3. Poop bag

Be a responsible service animal handler. Pick up their droppings as you would do in your own home and community. If you can’t do this alone, ask someone for help.

4. Collar, leash, and vest

Keep your service animal by your side and under control. Collars and vests will also help people identify your four-legged companion as a service animal at first glance.

5. Treats and toys

Even with extensive training, service animals have a tendency to act up. This is a common occurrence when they’re bored. If you cannot keep your service animal under control, establishments have the right to ask you to remove your animal from their premises.

It’s best to have toys and treats to keep your animal from acting up or when you’re rewarding their obedience.

6. Bed or blanket your service animal is familiar with

Service animals can feel anxious when sleeping in an unfamiliar place. This is why you should also bring their blanket or bed because they need a familiar scent for a sense of security. This will help them rest confidently no matter where you go.

7. Vaccination records

At most times, accommodation authorities will ask for your service animal’s updated vaccination records to ensure the safety of other people and animals. Rabies, distemper, parvo, and animal flu are serious topics. Your animal’s vaccination records should be kept together with its registration documents.

8. Medication

Some service animals are prone to motion sickness. That is why you‘ll need to keep a medical kit to give your animal the medicine for such problems. You should also pack your medical kit with first aid supplies in case your animal gets injured during your travels.

Because PWD and service animal rights vary depending on the location, you must know about them in advance by inquiring with the authorities of the places you’ll visit. This will help you bring all the necessary items that you and your service animal will need for the entire trip.

Check out more blog posts about service animals below!

• 8 Care Tips for Your Companion and Assistance Animal According to Veterinarians
• 7 Top Tips for Responsible Pet and Assistance Animal Ownership
• Psychiatric Service Animal vs Emotional Support Animal: What’s the Difference?
• The 7 Best Service Dog Breeds for People With Disabilities
• What Are The Different Types Of Service Dogs? (And What They Do)

Do you own an assistance animal? Register your pet today.

The Service Animal Registry of California invites you to have your assistance animal registered in order to designate its status. We also encourage you to take our online classes so you can be fully aware of your rights and gain more knowledge about your support animal.

Finally, we present to you our book entitled, “ASSISTANCE ANIMAL LAWS: LEARN YOUR RIGHTS REGARDING SERVICE ANIMALS, EMOTIONAL SUPPORT ANIMALS, THERAPY PETS, AND OTHER DOGS, CATS, AND ASSISTANCE ANIMALS” to provide you with a complete education on assistance animals. Purchase your copy of the book by clicking the image below. 

In a previous article, we’ve discussed what you need to do to care for your pet or assistance animal in order for them to live as long as they can. This time, we’ll explore the various things you should do to keep your pet safe as well as yourself and others wherever both of you go.

These tips are very important because not only do they protect the welfare of your animal and others around them, they promote a community where all animals and their humans can live together in harmony. Keep on reading to know the animal ownership responsibilities you should remember.

1. Spay or neuter them

We don’t like the idea of abandoning an animal, seeing a lot of strays in the neighborhood, or overcrowded rescue shelters. But we also tend to forget that we are the cause of these problems. If you’re not an animal breeder, get your pets spayed or neutered. Don’t be the kind of person who loves animals but doesn’t make any effort to prevent unwanted litters.

2. Keep them on a leash or crate when both of you are out

In public settings, keep your animal under control. It doesn’t matter if that animal is very obedient and calm in your home. They will act differently around other people and animals in alien environments.

Consider those who don’t like pets or animals and people who are allergic to them as well. You could face a lawsuit if some of your animal’s dander caused a severe allergic reaction to someone.

3. Keep them inside your property

You must not allow your animal to leave your abode without a human accompanying them. This is a problem that pet owners tend to overlook. Yes, your animal may be spayed or neutered, but that doesn’t stop them from attacking the neighbors, their animals, messing their garbage bins, or defecating in their yard.

4. Make sure they’re up to date with their vaccinations

Rabies is a nasty viral disease that could guarantee death to the animal and human affected by it unless treated. Don’t wait for your companion to be affected by it. Make sure they’re immune to most viruses when they reach vaccination age. Aside from rabies, you should also need to look out for distemper and parvovirus.

5. Clean up after their mess

Image source: The New York Times

Wherever you go outside your home, always pick up after your animal’s droppings. You don’t want your home to be riddled with animal doodoo or hate to step on one. Others also don’t want the same thing in shared public spaces like parks and sidewalks.

6. Keep your home animal friendly

Keep foods and objects that could harm your pet or companion animal when ingested out of reach. Research which products are toxic to your kind of animal. Small children’s toys that can be swallowed by a furry friend should also be kept away.

7. Get them microchipped

Your companion animal has the potential to get lost even with extensive training and tracking instincts. Which is why it’s essential to have them injected with an identification microchip. When they get lost and authorities seize them, animal control officers can just scan and contact you when they’ve found your missing familiar.

Owning an animal is a huge commitment to make. The best tip to be a responsible animal owner is to know in advance which duties you should fulfill before bringing a four-legged friend into your life.

Need to know more about companion and assistance animals? Read these articles!

• Psychiatric Service Animal vs Emotional Support Animal: What’s the Difference?
• The 7 Best Service Dog Breeds for People With Disabilities
• What Are The Different Types Of Service Dogs? (And What They Do)

Do you own an assistance animal? Register your pet today.

The Service Animal Registry of California invites you to have your assistance animal registered in order to designate its status. We also encourage you to take our online classes so you can be fully aware of your rights and gain more knowledge about your support animal.

Finally, we present to you our book entitled, “ASSISTANCE ANIMAL LAWS: LEARN YOUR RIGHTS REGARDING SERVICE ANIMALS, EMOTIONAL SUPPORT ANIMALS, THERAPY PETS, AND OTHER DOGS, CATS, AND ASSISTANCE ANIMALS” to provide you with a complete education on assistance animals. Purchase your copy of the book by clicking the image below. 

Pets and assistance animals have been a part of our daily lives since ancient times and they continue to change the way we live for the years to come. They have kept us sane through tough times, kept our homes safe, and done a lot of things we normally can’t.

It’s also safe to say that we have changed the way they live. Instead of relying on instincts to survive in nature, most animals have chosen the path of domestication for survival. We couldn’t be more thankful for this symbiotic relationship.

In this blog post, it’s time to return the favor we receive from our furry friends by learning how we can take better care of them.

1. Choose the right food

There are many brand names of animal food on the market and it’s hard to choose one that you’ll buy every week. But there are two rules you should follow: Make sure the food you buy has carbohydrates, vitamins, protein, and minerals. And be familiar with your animal’s food allergies so you’ll avoid products that would endanger their life if consumed.

2. Keep them hydrated

Always have a clean water supply ready for your pet or assistance animal, especially during hot and dry seasons. Veterinarians suggest leaving a bowl full of water wherever your animal sleeps and eats. When you’re traveling, bring with you a portable drinker bottle.

3. Provide a safe environment

Like us humans, our pets and assistance animals also need an appropriate shelter. Think of your animal as a human baby that needs a warm comfy bed with a roof over its head. Don’t leave your animal out of your home to endure rain, snow, and heat. And certainly, don’t leave your animal unsupervised where they can chew or eat objects and harmful substances.

4. Have a med bag ready for your animal

If we humans need to have a medkit ready for emergencies, so do our familiars. They don’t wear shoes like we do which makes them prone to a lot of foot injuries. Veterinarians suggest strapping a med bag to a vested assistance animal during outdoor situations — one for you and one for them on each side of their vest.

5. Make sure your animal has clothing for all weather types

It’s recommended to buy clothing for your animal that will keep them safe and healthy for all seasons. Some animals like horses don’t require much clothing for winter, but dogs, cats, and other small animals do.

Having the right gear for your companion catered to all weather types will help them accompany you throughout the outside world at any time, especially when resupplying for your needs.

6. Identify veterinarians and their offices wherever you are

Knowing how to treat your companion animal for a variety of emergencies is good. But knowing where the professionals of animal healthcare are is better. Wherever you live and go, have the contact info of the local veterinarian and a map of where the veterinary clinics are.

7. Visit the vet annually

Keep your pet or assistance animal in their prime condition by visiting the vet once a year. These professionals can diagnose any potential health problems that you can avoid or prevent from worsening.

8. Care for yourself

Remember, your companion animal heavily relies on you as you do on them. By keeping yourself in good health, you can provide your pet, emotional support, or service animal a healthy and happy life.

Do you love your animal companion? Show your affection by giving them all the things they need. It doesn’t necessarily mean treating them to the grooming salon every week. Providing a loving home, good food, water, and bed is already more than enough.

Read more articles here!

• Psychiatric Service Animal vs Emotional Support Animal: What’s the Difference?
• The 7 Best Service Dog Breeds for People With Disabilities
• What Are The Different Types Of Service Dogs? (And What They Do)

Do you own an assistance animal? Register your pet today.  The Service Animal Registry of California invites you to have your assistance animal registered in order to designate its status. We also encourage you to take our online classes so you can be fully aware of your rights and gain more knowledge about your support animal.

Finally, we present to you our book entitled, “ASSISTANCE ANIMAL LAWS: LEARN YOUR RIGHTS REGARDING SERVICE ANIMALS, EMOTIONAL SUPPORT ANIMALS, THERAPY PETS, AND OTHER DOGS, CATS, AND ASSISTANCE ANIMALS” to provide you with a complete education on assistance animals. Purchase your copy of the book by clicking the image below. 

Emotional Support Animals (ESAs) and Psychiatric Service Animals (PSAs) are two different types of working animals. But sometimes the job they do often has similarities, especially when it comes to the kind of people they accompany. Because of that, they can often be confused with one another. And that confusion often leads to problems for not just the animal and the patient, but also the general public.

In this blog post, we’re going to explore the legal differences between PSAs and ESAs as well as who should get each type of assistance animal.

The Differences of PSAs and ESAs

1. PSAs are trained to do specific tasks and responses

PSAs undergo training to perform tasks that are directly related to their human’s psychiatric disability. For example, PSAs are trained to detect an incoming panic attack on people with severe social phobia and remove them from the situation and to a safe place.

2. An ESA’s job is just its presence

Unlike PSAs, ESAs don’t undergo training. Their job is only to make their humans feel safe and calm by being present near them. In the case of a person with mild social phobia, an ESA by their side would help them feel safe if they leave their home for groceries and other basic needs.

3. PSAs are protected by the Americans with Disabilities Act

PSAs are a type of service animal and they have rights protected by the Americans with Disabilities Act. Wherever their owner wishes to go, a PSA has the right to accompany them. If a certain establishment refuses an entry of a service dog and its owner, the establishment will be heavily fined or face criminal charges.

4. ESAs cannot always accompany their owner to certain areas

There are a lot of places that ESAs cannot enter such as restaurants and malls. However, they can be with their owners in plane cabins and sometimes fly for free. In common scenarios, ESAs have the same rights as PSAs, especially when it comes to the Fair Housing Act.

No landlord can deny a potential tenant based on a no-pet rule and they cannot ask for additional fees if an ESA or PSA has proper documentation.

5. Only horses and dogs can be PSAs

Any animal can be an ESA whereas only dogs and horses can be PSAs. This is because canine and equine animals have high levels of intelligence and trainability.

Who Should Get An Emotional Support Animal?

People with mental and emotional problems such as learning disabilities, anxiety, depression, attention deficit disorder, chronic stress, and post-traumatic stress disorder are eligible of owning an ESA.

Who Should Get A Psychiatric Service Animal?

Those who are eligible of owning an ESA can also get a PSA. The difference here is that those who want to avail PSAs must have severe mental and emotional disabilities with symptoms and reactions that are debilitating and highly life-threatening.

For example, a depressed person who can still function normally is limited to owning ESA. But if that same person has tendencies for self-harm and suicide, they can have a PSA that will detect an incoming episode and therefore prevent them from self-harming or committing suicide.

Knowing the different assistance animals and their rights is something everyone should know. To the general public and businesses, it can prevent confusion and lawsuits. For individuals with emotional and mental problems, it can help cure a condition by getting the right assistance animal for their needs.

Do you own an assistance animal? Register your pet today.  The Service Animal Registry of California invites you to have your assistance animal registered in order to designate its status. We also encourage you to take our online classes so you can be fully aware of your rights and gain more knowledge about your support animal.

Finally, we present to you our book entitled, “ASSISTANCE ANIMAL LAWS: LEARN YOUR RIGHTS REGARDING SERVICE ANIMALS, EMOTIONAL SUPPORT ANIMALS, THERAPY PETS, AND OTHER DOGS, CATS, AND ASSISTANCE ANIMALS” to provide you with a complete education on assistance animals. Purchase your copy of the book by clicking the image below. 

Most of us know the three types of assistance animals. We have Emotional Support Animals (ESAs), Therapy Animals, and Service Animals. But even under the umbrella of service animals, there are also several types, especially dogs, that we should be aware of.

The purpose of knowing the different types of service dogs is to prevent confusion. It’s easy to mistake a therapy dog with a service dog, especially if the human they’re serving has no visible disabilities.

In some extreme cases, a person might unknowingly interrupt the work of one service animal who has a different duty compared to the most common ones. For example, a child might play with another kid’s autism support dog and severely endanger the kid’s life in the event of a seizure.

This is because the child only knew that service dogs were for the blind. To prevent these mishaps in the future, it’s best to be knowledgeable about service dogs. Read on and find out more about them.

1. Allergy Detection Dogs

These dogs are trained to smell the air for any allergens that would endanger the life of their human. For example, an allergy detection dog will alert their peanut-allergic owner if the food they’re about to eat contains peanuts.

2. Autism Support Dogs

Autism support dogs are trained to help their owner feel comfortable and calm in social settings. They’re mostly paired with children. Some ASDs receive further training such as tracking the child if they run away unnoticed, interrupting harmful behavior, or alerting the child’s parents for an impending dangerous situation.

3. Seizure Alert Dogs

Dogs have a keen sense of smell. They can detect the slightest changes in our hormones. Seizure alert dogs are trained to detect the specific changes our bodies undergo prior to a seizure. Then, they’ll alert us to sit down to prevent injuries from collapsing.

4. Seizure Response Dogs

Seizure response dogs are different from seizure alert dogs. Instead of giving signs of an oncoming seizure, they help the human during and after the attack. Examples are calling 911, barking incessantly to ask for help from nearby people, or pressing the patient to end the seizure early.

5. Hearing Dogs

Hearing dogs grab the attention of a deaf person when they hear visual cues such as alarms, doorbells, and emergency vehicle sirens. Then, they lead their owners towards the noise.

6. Diabetic Alert Dogs

Like seizure alerts dogs, diabetic alert dogs signal their owners if their blood sugar levels reach critically high or low levels. This reminds a diabetic patient to take insulin or consume fast-acting carbohydrates and prevent hyper or hypoglycemic shocks.

7. Guide Dogs

This is the most common type of service dog. They help blind or low-vision people navigate the environment. And unlike other service dogs, guide dogs are trained to disobey orders selectively. This is to prevent their owners from being in danger based on their assessment of the situation.

8. Mobility Assistance Dogs

This type of service dog helps people with limited mobility complete simple everyday tasks such as walking, picking up objects, opening doors, or retrieving items from furniture and counters.

9. Psychiatric Service Dogs

Not to be mistaken as emotional support dogs, psychiatric service dogs are trained to serve people with severe trauma such as war veterans and civilians with severe anxiety and depression.

10. Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder Service Dogs

FASD service dogs are an emerging category. They are trained to support children who have mental and physical difficulties as a result of being exposed to alcohol during pregnancy. They’re like autism service dogs because they receive similar training.

Service dogs are given the right to accompany their owner almost anywhere. That’s why you can expect to see them in most public settings. However, they are working dogs and should not be interrupted while on duty. They’re also not required to wear any identification. Always ask the owner first if you want to interact with a good boy.

Do you own an assistance animal? Register your pet today.  The Service Animal Registry of California invites you to have your assistance animal registered in order to designate its status. We also encourage you to take our online classes so you can be fully aware of your rights and gain more knowledge about your support animal.

Finally, we present to you our book entitled, “ASSISTANCE ANIMAL LAWS: LEARN YOUR RIGHTS REGARDING SERVICE ANIMALS, EMOTIONAL SUPPORT ANIMALS, THERAPY PETS, AND OTHER DOGS, CATS, AND ASSISTANCE ANIMALS” to provide you with a complete education on assistance animals. Purchase your copy of the book by clicking the image below.